Airfare - depends from where and when. See: http://matrix.itasoftware.com Japan can be quite expensive - but doesn't have to be, if you know where to find a good deal. You can see Japan and be quite satisfied and comfortable if your expectations are not exorbitant.
There are also special deals that people living in Japan cannot take advantage of, and can save you a lot of money. A cheap hotel for 1: ¥4900 per night Decent lunch & dinner: ¥2000 per day per person total Transport: ¥500-700 per day per person in many cities Incidentals ¥0-1000 per day per person There are many cheaper places to stay - even in Tokyo - for as low as about 16 pounds per night. See: http://www.wix.com/astroflight/accommoda... https://www.choicehotels.com/japan/comfo... http://www.kid97.co.jp/~jeh-group/jeh-group.html www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/ www.superhoteljapan.com/en/ http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/feature/7209/Budget-hotels-and-hostels-in-Tokyo Souvenirs can be a few dollars each to the sky is the limit.
The other major factor which you didn't mention is transport, not to mention where you will go. If within the same city, if you travel a lot, you can get a day pass in many places for $6-10 or so, at most. Or get a 3 day Tokyo subway pass for 1500 yen.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03 If you want to travel by rail across Japan, look at getting a JR Pass - you can save a ton. See: www.japanrailpass.net Even if you are staying in the same area, there are regional passes you can take advantage of as well. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html If you want to see Mt.
Fuji, the best places to go are either the Fuji 5 Lakes Area or Hakone. There are regional passes for both as well. See: www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/ You don't have to worry about running out of money so much though.
If you have an ATM card you can easily get cash from any 7-11 or post office ATM, as well as some others, at a good exchange rate. See: http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/card2.html Many of the best places you can see for little or nothing. Popular temples/shrines can have a small fee, often $3-8 or so - it is possible to get nickled and dimed to death, but it's up to what you want to see.
You can get more info on what to see and do on: www.jnto.go.jp www.japan-guide.com.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.